Eight drown in boat mishap at Vaishali

Hajipur, Oct 20(UNI) Altogether eight persons, including three children and four women, today drowned in Noon river near Bariyarpur village under Patepur police station in Vaishali district.

District Magistrate (DM) Pratima Verma said here that the villagers, from Chandpurfata under Patepur police station, were going to Bariyarpur to visit a Durga Puja fair when the boat, ferrying 15 passengers, capsized midstream.

The boat, caught in the high current, overturned and eight people drowned while seven others swam to safety.

The bodies were fished out with the help of villagers and local swimmers, the DM said.

The DM announced the compensation to the next of kin of all the deceased.